WO2006118727A2 - Method and apparatus for processing a return path signal - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for processing a return path signal Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2006118727A2 WO2006118727A2 PCT/US2006/012112 US2006012112W WO2006118727A2 WO 2006118727 A2 WO2006118727 A2 WO 2006118727A2 US 2006012112 W US2006012112 W US 2006012112W WO 2006118727 A2 WO2006118727 A2 WO 2006118727A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- return path
- path signal
- mac
- user device
- demodulator
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
- H04L12/2801—Broadband local area networks
Definitions
- Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to information transmission networks, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for processing a return path signal transmitted from a user device.
- a broadband network entails a plurality of service (e.g., voice, data, video, etc.) providers supplying data to a headend facility, which distributes the data to a plurality of service locations (e.g., residences).
- service locations e.g., residences.
- the type of data distributed to the service locations is dependent on the signal provided by bridging devices to the service provider's network for the respective service locations.
- bridging devices enable the corresponding service locations to receive and transmit transmission signals to the headend, these devices are not without their disadvantages.
- the bridging devices are manufactured with a single demodulator designed to only support the transmission of one type of return path protocol over a digital network from a set top box or cable modem.
- a separate bridging device is needed for individually processing each unique return path protocol.
- the relevant art is presently limited to support only one return path protocol, the types of set top boxes and cable modems that this bridging device can support is similarly restricted.
- the invention provides a method and apparatus for processing a return path signal transmitted from a user device.
- the invention receives, and subsequently decodes, a return path signal that is transmitted from a user device. From the decoded signal, the type of user device transmitting the return path signal is determined. The invention then routes the return path signal to a media access control (MAC) processor that is specifically designed to process return path signals transmitted from the determined type of user device.
- MAC media access control
- Figure 1 is a block diagram of a general embodiment of a network system employing the principles of the present invention
- Figure 2 depicts a block diagram of one embodiment of a bridging device capable of processing a return path signal in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a method for processing a return path signal transmitted from a user device in accordance with the present invention.
- Figure 1 depicts a network system 100 (e.g., a passive optical network) in which the embodiments of the present invention may be utilized.
- a network system 100 e.g., a passive optical network
- Figure 1 could have depicted several headends 110, numerous service locations 120, and a plurality of corresponding bridging devices 114.
- headend 110, service location 120, and bridging device 114 are depicted and described.
- the invention is a method and apparatus for processing a return path signal transmitted from a user device, such as a conventional set top box.
- the network 100 comprises at least one service location 120 that is supported by an associated bridging device 114.
- the bridging device 114 is coupled to a headend 110.
- the headend 110 is connected to a voice services provider 102 and data services provider 104 through a communication network 108 (e.g., the Internet).
- the headend 110 may be coupled to video services provider 106 either through a direct connection and/or via the communication network 108.
- the service location 120 is typically a residence, but may be any area or building that is supported by a bridging device 114.
- the service location 120 typically contains a plurality of devices such as, but not limited to, telephony adapters 116, personal computers (PCs) 122, and set top boxes 118i... n . Although only one telephony adapter 116 and PC 122 are shown for the sake of clarity, additional telephony adapters or PCs may be supported by the bridging device 114. Similarly, the service location 120 may contain a plurality of set top boxes 118i... n .
- the set top box 118 may be an end-user or cable service subscriber tuner/demultiplexer/decoder and embedded system.
- the set top box 118 may be an apparatus similar to the Motorola DCT2500 or the Scientific-Atlanta EXPLORER 8000.
- the set top box 118 is typically connected to the cable operator RF feed and drives the subscriber's display unit or television set (not shown).
- the video segments may be received via a packet stream (e.g. MPEG Transport Stream or video-over-IP) or as analog video.
- the headend 110 may be any physical site where modulation, demodulation, and processing (controlling, monitoring, etc.) equipment is kept and operated.
- the headend 110 typically comprises a master facility that receives television signals for processing and distributing over the network system 100.
- the headend 110 is a building or large structure that contains electronic equipment used to receive and re-transmit video over the network system 100.
- Figure 2 depicts a block diagram of one embodiment of the bridging device 114, which may have an upstream port 222 and multiple device ports 216i...n, 218, 220.
- the upstream port 222 enables the bridging device 114 to communicate with the headend 110 via twisted pair wiring, optical fiber, coaxial cable or a hybrid system made up of a combination of coaxial cable and optical fiber.
- the plurality of device ports 216i .. . n , 218, 220 allows multiple set top boxes 118i... n , telephony adapters 116, PCs 122 and the like, to be connected to and communicate with the bridging device 114.
- the bridging device 114 comprises, but is not limited to one or more of the following devices; a diplex filter 208, a processor 214, memory 210, a demodulator 202, a plurality of media access control (MAC) processors 204i . .. n , and a diplexer/combiner module 206.
- the diplex filter 208 forwards the signals transmitted from the set top boxes 118i . .. n to the demodulator 202.
- the diplex filter 208 also receives signals originating from the headend 110.
- the diplexer/combiner module 206 is utilized to separate upstream (towards the headend) and downstream (away from the headend) signals and combine the upstream signals.
- the signals that are split and combined might be either optical or RF signals.
- the demodulator 202 is a device that serves as a common interface for the network device return path utilized by the plurality of telephony adapters, PCs, and the like.
- the processor 214 may be any conventionally available microprocessor.
- the memory 210 may comprise flash memory, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and the like.
- the bridging device 114 may be situated in a number of locations depending on the particular embodiment.
- the bridging device 114 may be located on the side of a service location 120 or building structure (e.g., PON system), positioned on a pole that is located between the service location 120 and the headend 110 (e.g., HFC cable system), or located within the headend 110 itself.
- a service location 120 or building structure e.g., PON system
- a pole that is located between the service location 120 and the headend 110 (e.g., HFC cable system), or located within the headend 110 itself.
- the demodulator 202 is a Physical Layer (PHY) processing module utilized to recover data content from the carrier wave of a received return path signal.
- the demodulator 202 may support multiple modulation modes (Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (S-CDMA), Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), etc.) and multiple data rates (256 kbps, 1.5 Mbps, etc.).
- the demodulator 202 may also support multiple PHY burst structures (e.g., signal bursts), since the PHY burst structure will vary for each of the MAC processors 204-i... n .
- the demodulator 202 is a software defined radio (SDR) module, which employs various signal processing techniques to ascertain when a set top box transmission occurs and determine the format/protocol of the return path signal.
- SDR can be described as a radio communication system that utilizes software for the modulation and demodulation of received return path signals.
- an SDR is a radio that can receive and transmit a unique form of radio protocol by executing software based processes.
- the SDR receives return path transmissions and monitors the signal for a unique word or indicator sent at the beginning of a burst. This indicator enables the SDR to identify the particular return path protocol from which the signal originated.
- the SDR enables the bridging device 114 to support multiple protocols such as, but not limited to, ALOHA (e.g. SCTE 55-1), DOCSIS, and DAVIC (e.g. SCTE 55-2) return paths.
- ALOHA e.g. SCTE 55-1
- DOCSIS e.g. DOCSIS
- DAVIC e.g. SCTE 55-2
- the indicator may be a pattern of transmitted data.
- the demodulator 202 may be independent from and positioned outside of the bridging device 114 as illustrated in Figure 2.
- the media access control (MAC) processors 204- ⁇ .. . n are responsible for receiving the return path signal from the SDR. After obtaining a signal, a MAC processor 204 processes the bit stream signal so that the data may be comprehended by a receiver at the headend 110.
- a specific MAC processor 204i... n for each possible type of set top box 118i... n , PC 122 and telephony adapter 116 existing in the service location 120 supported by the associated bridging device 114.
- the existence of multiple MAC processors 204i . ..n also provides for the potential of supporting multiple protocols simultaneously.
- the MAC processor 204 may be embodied as a field programmable gate-array (FPGA), an applied specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, a software process, or the like.
- FPGA field programmable gate-array
- ASIC applied specific integrated circuit
- FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of a method 300 executed by one embodiment of the present invention.
- the method 300 commences at step 302 and proceeds to step 304, where a return path signal from a particular set-top box 118, cable modem, telephony adapter 116, or similar device is received.
- a return path signal from a particular set-top box 118, cable modem, telephony adapter 116, or similar device is received.
- a return path signal from a particular set-top box 118, cable modem, telephony adapter 116, or similar device is received.
- each of these set top boxes 118i ...n may be of a different type (e.g., a MOTOROLA or SCIENTIFIC- ATLANTA set top box).
- Each of these different set top boxes 118i are examples of 118i
- a set top box 118 receives an instruction, such as a channel select command, and subsequently encodes and transmits the instruction to the bridging device 114.
- the transmission signal received from the set top box 118 is decoded by the demodulator 202 in the bridging device 114.
- the bridging device 114 is responsible for interpreting the return path signal so that the encoded command may ultimately be transmitted upstream to the headend 110 in a format acceptable for transmission (e.g., IP or Ethernet format).
- the bridging device 114 determines the PHY burst structure (unique words or other indicators) in the transmission from the set top box 118, PC 122, or telephony adapter 116 in the decoded transmission signal.
- a software defined radio (SDR) in the bridging device 114 determines the type of transmission signal received.
- the SDR monitors the return path signal for unique words or indicators that would distinguish one set top box from another.
- the transmission signal is then routed by the demodulator 202 (i.e., the software defined radio in one embodiment) to an appropriate MAC processor 204. More specifically, each MAC processor is specifically designed to process the return path signals transmitted from a particular type of set top box 118, PC 122, or telephony adapter 116. The method 300 then continues to step 312 and ends.
- the demodulator 202 (e.g. SDR) exists in the bridging device 114 as described above.
- the MAC processors may be positioned at the headend 110 facility.
- PHY layer processing and MAC layer processing are not required to be conducted at the same location.
- the present invention may be implemented in software and/or in a combination of software and hardware, e.g., using the bridging device 114, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), or any other hardware equivalents.
- a software process e.g., MAC processor
- the present software process can be stored on a computer readable medium or carrier, e.g., flash memory, random access memory (RAM), and the like.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
- Small-Scale Networks (AREA)
- Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
MX2007013077A MX2007013077A (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2006-04-03 | Method and apparatus for processing a return path signal. |
BRPI0608107-0A BRPI0608107A2 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2006-04-03 | method and apparatus for processing a return path signal |
CA002604745A CA2604745A1 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2006-04-03 | Method and apparatus for processing a return path signal |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/112,959 US20060239176A1 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2005-04-22 | Method and apparatus for processing a return path signal |
US11/112,959 | 2005-04-22 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2006118727A2 true WO2006118727A2 (en) | 2006-11-09 |
WO2006118727A3 WO2006118727A3 (en) | 2007-04-19 |
Family
ID=37186743
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2006/012112 WO2006118727A2 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2006-04-03 | Method and apparatus for processing a return path signal |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060239176A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0608107A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2604745A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2007013077A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006118727A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7920823B2 (en) * | 2006-12-08 | 2011-04-05 | Microsoft Corporation | System capability discovery for software defined radio |
US11729054B2 (en) | 2014-07-15 | 2023-08-15 | Comcast Cable Communications, Llc | Reconfigurable device for processing signals |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6215792B1 (en) * | 1998-06-30 | 2001-04-10 | Motorola, Inc. | System, device, and method for initial ranging in a communication network |
US6618387B1 (en) * | 1999-03-04 | 2003-09-09 | Webtv Networks, Inc. | Interface for abstracting control of a cable modem |
US6785564B1 (en) * | 1999-08-31 | 2004-08-31 | Broadcom Corporation | Method and apparatus for latency reduction in low power two way communications equipment applications in hybrid fiber coax plants |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6490727B1 (en) * | 1999-10-07 | 2002-12-03 | Harmonic, Inc. | Distributed termination system for two-way hybrid networks |
US20020154777A1 (en) * | 2001-04-23 | 2002-10-24 | Candelore Brant Lindsey | System and method for authenticating the location of content players |
US7286557B2 (en) * | 2001-11-16 | 2007-10-23 | Intel Corporation | Interface and related methods for rate pacing in an ethernet architecture |
-
2005
- 2005-04-22 US US11/112,959 patent/US20060239176A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2006
- 2006-04-03 BR BRPI0608107-0A patent/BRPI0608107A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2006-04-03 CA CA002604745A patent/CA2604745A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-04-03 WO PCT/US2006/012112 patent/WO2006118727A2/en active Application Filing
- 2006-04-03 MX MX2007013077A patent/MX2007013077A/en active IP Right Grant
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6215792B1 (en) * | 1998-06-30 | 2001-04-10 | Motorola, Inc. | System, device, and method for initial ranging in a communication network |
US6618387B1 (en) * | 1999-03-04 | 2003-09-09 | Webtv Networks, Inc. | Interface for abstracting control of a cable modem |
US6785564B1 (en) * | 1999-08-31 | 2004-08-31 | Broadcom Corporation | Method and apparatus for latency reduction in low power two way communications equipment applications in hybrid fiber coax plants |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BRPI0608107A2 (en) | 2009-11-03 |
WO2006118727A3 (en) | 2007-04-19 |
US20060239176A1 (en) | 2006-10-26 |
MX2007013077A (en) | 2008-01-11 |
CA2604745A1 (en) | 2006-11-09 |
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